Reclining chair and mechanism therefor

ABSTRACT

A traditional style reclining chair with a T-cushion adapted to accommodate a sitter in upright and reclined positions and a mechanism therefor in which the rear end of a seat frame drops as a back frame reclines from the upright to a semi-reclined position with minimal rearward movement of the front end of the seat frame. As the back frame reclines further to the reclined position, the rear end of the seat frame moves upwardly, although at all positions a slight floating action of the rear end of the seat frame is provided to enable the particular sitter to seek his own most comfortable position. The back frame is resiliently biased toward the semi-reclined position at the reclined position or any position therebetween. A leg support frame is upwardly extensible via a scissors mechanism upon movement of the back frame from the upright to the semi-reclined position and, according to one embodiment, extends further outwardly upon further movement of the back frame toward the reclined position. Reversible electric motors for effecting the foregoing are attached to the back frame and the scissors mechanism.

United States Patent 1 Sloan RECLINING CHAIR AND MECHANISM THEREFOR [75]Inventor: Crawford J. Sloan, Denton, Tex. [73] Assignee: Forrest Dunlap,Jr., Dallas, Tex.

[22] Filed: Sept. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 293,087

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 107,012, Jan.18, 1971.

[451 Sept. 4, 1973 i 71 ABSTRACT A traditional style reclining chairwith a T-cushion adapted to accommodate a sitter in upright and reclinedpositions and a mechanism therefor in which the rear end of a seat framedrops as a back frame reclines from the upright to a semi-reclinedposition with minimal rearward movement of the front end of the seatframe. As the-back frame reclines further to the reclined position, therear end of the seat frame moves upwardly, although at all positions aslight floating action of the rear end of the seat frame is provided toenable the particular sitter to seek his own most comfortable position.The back frame is resiliently biased toward the semi-reclined positionat the reclined position or any position therebetween. A leg supportframe is upwardly extensible via a scissors mechanism upon movement ofthe back frame from the upright to the semi-reclined position and,according to one embodiment, extends further outwardly upon furthermovement of the back frame toward the reclined position. Reversibleelectric motors for effecting the foregoing are attached to the backframe and the scissors mechamsm.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures RECLINING CHAIR AND MECHANISM THEREFORRELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional application ofSer. No. 107,012, filed Jan. 18, 1971 in the name of Crawford J. Sloanas inventor, and entitled Reclining Chair and Mechanism therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally toreclining chairs and mechanisms therefor, and more particularly toreclining chairs having a T-shaped seat cushion and mechanisms therefor.

For reclining chairs, particularly those reclining from an uprightposition to a semi-reclined position to a reclined position, it isdesirable for the rear portion of the seat cushion to drop slightly asthe chair reclines from the upright position to the semi-reclinedposition whereby the chair will tend to cradle the sitter in place.However, this has not been satisfactorily accomplished in the noveltraditional style prior art reclining chairs which employ T-shaped seatcushions since the mechanisms hertofore used in a typical recliningchair have produced a movement of the seat such that the bar portions ofthe T-cushion, to be contrasted with the stem portion, would be crushedagainst the arm supports. That is, as the rear portion of the seatdropped in the usual traditional style piror art reclining chairs, thefront portion thereof, including the bar portions in the case of aT-cushion, would undergo a significant rearward movement to deform thebar portions by engagement with the arm supports. Accordingly,traditional style prior art chairs with T-cushions have not used a rearseat drop in going from the upright position to the semi-reclinedposition or necessarily either the arm support has been shaped toaccommodate the rearward movement of the bars of the T-cushion or theseat has been adapted to also slide forward to an unsightly positionuncomfortably displaced from the back of the chair. Moreover, it hasbeen found that the most comfortable angle of inclination of the seatvaries over a slight range depending upon the physical characteristicsof the sitter so that it is desirable to provide a slight floatingaction with respect to the rear of the seat frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a broad aspect, the present inventioncontemplates a reclining chair having a chair frame, a back frame, and aseat frame, means for pivotally mounting the back frame and the seatframe to the chair frame, and means for dropping the rear end of theseat frame as the back frame reclines from the upright tothesemireclined positions with a minimal rearward movement of the frontend of the seat frame. The invention also includes means for raising therear end of the seat frame upon further reclining of the back frame;means for providing the rear end of the seat frame with a slightfloating action; means for resiliently biasing the back frame toward thesemi-reclined position at the reclined position or any positiontherebetween; and means for producing an outward extension of a raisedleg support frame upon movement of the back frame from the semi-reclinedto the reclined positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete appreciation of theinvention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readilyappreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a traditional style reclining chairembodying the present invention, the chair being illustrated in theupright position;

FIGS. 2-4 are elevation views of one embodiment of the present inventionshown in the upright, semireclined, and reclined positions,respectively;

FIGS. 5-6 are elevation views of another embodiment of the inventionshown in the semi-reclined and reclined positions, respectively;

FIGS. 7-8 are elevation views of two further embodiments of the presentinvention including automatic power means for effecting the reclining ofthe chair.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingswherein like reference characters designate identical or correspondingparts throughout the several views, and more particularly to FIG. 1thereof wherein there is shown a traditional style reclining chair 2illustrated in the upright position. Chair 2 has a T-shaped seat cushion4 comprising a stem portion 6 and bar portions 8 and, as is customary intraditional style chairs, arms 10 supported by arm supports 12 extendingsubstantially vertically upward from a point immediately behind the barportions of the T-cushion. Of course, the seat cushion may be a discretemember, separate from but resting on a seat frame; and the back cushionmay be integral with a back frame. Alternatively, the converse mayexist; or the seat and back cushions may both be either separable fromor integral with the seat and back frames, respectively. The presentinvention is directed to the interrelationship between the seat frame,the back frame, and a chair frame; accordingly, the specificrelationship between the cushions and the frames is not essential to anunderstanding of this invention beyond the fact that the relativepositions of the seat and back cushions generally correspond to therelative positions of the seat and back frames.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a chair plate 14 adapted to befixedly secured to a relatively stationary chair frame 16, a back plate18 adapted to be fixedly secured to'a back frame 20, and a seat plate 22adapted to be fixedly secured to a seat frame 24.

Back plate 18 is pivotally mounted to chair frame 20 at a pivot point 26which is positioned substantially higher than the intersection of theback frame and the seat frame. Pivot point 26 is positioned relativelyhigh to produce a forward movement of the lower portion of the backframe as it reclines from the upright position to a semi-reclinedposition so that there will not be an unsightly and uncomfortable gapbetween the bottom of the back frame and the rear of the seat frame.

Seat frame 24 is pivotally mounted relative to chair frame 16 about apivot point 28 by any convenient means, such as supporting strut 30pivotally mounted at one end to chair plate 14 at pivot point 28 andfixedly secured at the other end to the seat frame. Pivot point 28 ispreferably positioned proximate the midportion of the seat frame butforward of the mid-point thereof to provide a pivot point about which asitter can easily cause pivotal movement of the seat frame by shiftinghis weight forwardly or rearwardly but which will nevertheless tend todrop the rear end of the seat frame when one is seated thereon. Pivotpoint 28 is preferably positioned as high relative to the seat frame aspossible consistent with aesthetic consideration so that the front endof the seat frame will undergo a minimal rearward movement as the rearend of the seat frame pivots downwardly. It should be apparent that evenless rearward movement of the front end of the seat frame may beattained by positioning pivot point 28 as far forward as possible; but,since that is not feasible if the sitter is to be able to comfortablyand easily balance the seat frame about the pivot point by shifting hisweight, it becomes quite essential to maximize the height of the pivotpoint relative to the seat fame and locate that pivot point just forwardof the mid-point of the seat frame.

To effect a movement of the seat frame in response .to movement of theback frame, a bar linkage 32 has one end 34 pivotally mounted relativeto back frame 20 about a pivot point 36 and another end 38 pivotallyrelative to the seat frame at a pivot point 40; and another bar linkage42 has one end 44 pivotally mounted to end 38 of bar linkage 32 at pivotpoint 40 and another end 46 pivotally mounted relative to seat frame 24at pivot point 48. Thus, the seat frame is secured to the chair frame aspart of a five-bar linkage. However, the pivotal movement of bar linkage42 relative to the seat frame is narrowly limited by any convenientmeans, such as stops 50 fixedly secured to seat plate 22 so that, inessence, the seat frame responds as if it were a part of a four-barlinkage except for an additional limited pivotal movement of the seatframe relative to the chair frame about pivot point 28 within the limitsprovided by stops 50. In that manner, the general inclination of theseat frame is a function of the position of the back frame although aslight variation in the inclination of the seat frame between the stopsmay be effected by a sitters shifting his weight with respect to pivotpoint 28. The further but limited degree of freedom provided by linkage42 produces a slight floating action of the rear end of the seat frame,principally in the vertical direction, to comfortably accommodatevarious sitters in different positions.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the chair is in the upright position. Itshould be noted that pivot point 26 is higher than pivot point 36 whichis higher than pivot point 40 but that pivot point 36 is behind astraight line between pivot points 26 and 40 when the back frame is inthe upright position. In that manner, as the back frame reclines fromthe upright position shown in FIG. 2 to a semi-reclined position shownin FIG. 3, pivot points 26, 36, and 40 assume positions substantially ona straight line; and pivot point 40 will have been moved downwardlyrelative to the chair frame. Thus, as the back frame reclines from theupright position to the semireclined position, the seat frame will pivotabout pivot point 28 and the rear end of the seat frame will drop. Ineither position there is still provided the slight float ing action ofthe seat frame between stops 50. However, as the back frame furtherreclines to a reclined position shown in FIG. 4, pivot point 36 movesforward of the straight line between pivot points 26 and 40 so that therear of the seat frame will move upwardly as is desirable in going fromthe semi-reclined position to the reclined position.

In FIG. 5, there is shown another embodiment of the invention in whichthe floating action is provided in a slightly different manner. A pivotpin 52, fixedly secured relative to seat frame 24 at pivot point 40, isslidably and rotatably positioned in a closed slot 54 formed in end 38of bar linkage 32. Thus, the limited sliding movement of pivot pin 52within slot 54 provides the further but limited degree of freedomcorresponding to the slight floating action described with respect tothe embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

Referring again to FIG. 2, there is shown a compound scissors mechanism56 having one end 58 suitably secured relative to the forward end ofchair frame 16, as by being pivotally mounted to chair plate 14 at atleast a pivot point 60, and another end 62 adapted to support anextensible leg support frame 64.

A bar linkage 66, pivotally mounted proximate the mid-portion thereofrelative to chair frame 16 at a pivot point 68, has one end pivotallymounted at a pivot point 72 to end 74 of a bar linkage 76, the other end78 of which is pivotally mounted at a pivot point 80 to the scissorsmechanism. Thus, a four-bar linkage, effected between pivot points 60,68, 72, and 80, is suitably provided for extending the scissorsmechanism.

A bar linkage 82 has one end 84 pivotally mounted relative to back frame20 at pivot point 86 and another end 88 pivotally mounted relative toanother end 90 of bar linkage 66 at a pivot point 92. Thus, a four-barlinkage type of mechanism is established between pivot points 26, 68,86, and 92, bar linkage 66 being common to both four-bar linkages.Accordingly, pivotal movement of the back frame from the uprightposition shown in FIG. 2 to the semi-reclined position shown in FIG. 3,will effect an outward extension of the scissors mechanism through thetwo four-bar linkages. The extent of the outward scissors-action of thescissors mechanism is limited by any appropriate means, such as stop 94secured to the chair plate. If not already apparent it should be notedthat the means for effecting movement of the seat frame is generallyindependent of the means for efi'ecting movement of the leg frame,except that both are responsive to movement of the back frame. Toprovide a reclining chair having the capacity to further recline fromthe semi-reclined position shown in FIG. 3 to the reclined positionshown in FIG. 4, a pivot pin 96, fixedly secured to end 88 of barlinkage 82, is slidingly and rotatably secured in an elongate closedslot 98 formed in end 90 of bar linkage 66. For movement between theupright and semi-reclined positions, pivot pin 94 is firmly securedagainst the upper end of slot 98 by resilient biasing means, such ascoil spring 100 having one end fixedly secured relative to the chairframe at point 102 and another end fixedly secured relative to end 88 ofbar linkage 82. Thus, in reclining from the upright to the semi-reclinedpositions, the effect of the two interconnected four-bar linkages issimply to extend the scissors mechanism after which the back plate mayrecline further against the bias of spring 100 to assume the reclinedposition. Preferably spring 100 is selected to provide an appropriatetension so that a sitter can comfortably stop the chair at any positionbetween the semi-reclined and reclined positions merely by restingagainst the back frame. It should also be noted that the spring biastoward the semi-reclined position will aid a sitter in returning to thesemi-reclined position from the reclined position or any positiontherebetween.

To effect the appropriate leverage against spring 100 according to theembodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the upright and semi-reclinedpositions pivot point 26 is higher than pivot point 92 which is higherthan pivot point 86 and pivot point 86 is behind a straight line betweenpivot points 25 and 92. Thus, as the back frame further reclines fromthe semi-reclined position, pivot point 86 will move closer to thestraight line between pivot points 26 and 92 forcing pivot pin 96 downslot 98.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown anothermanner of extending the scissors mechanism and providing movement of theback frame against a resilient bias from the semi-reclined to thereclined positions. End 58 of scissors mechanism56 is secured to acarriage 106 which is slidably mounted relative to chair frame 16. Alimit on the outward extension of the scissors mechanism is provided bya stop 94' on the carriage; and stops 108 fixedly secured relative tothe chair frame limit the rear position of the carriage. A coil spring100 has one end fixedly secured relative to the chair frame at a point110 and another end secured relative to the carriage at a point 112, sothat spring 100' will resiliently bias the carriage toward its rearwardposition.

A bar linkage 114 has one end 116 pivotally mounted to the scissorsmechanisms at pivot point 80' and another end 118 pivotally mounted toback plate 18 at pivot point 86, effecting a four-bar linkage betweenpivot points 26, 60', 80, and 86 for extending the scissors mechanism inresponse to movement of the back frame from the upright position to thesemi-reclined position. Since the outward extent of the scissorsmechanism is limited by stop 94', further pivoting of the back framefrom the semi-reclined position shown in FIG. 5 to the reclined positionshown in FIG. 6 produces an outward sliding movement of carriage 106against the resilient bias of spring 100'. Although the effect of theresilient bias of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 is substantially asthat of FIGS. 2-4, the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 has the additionalcapability of providing a further outward transverse movement of the legsupport frame in going from the semi-reclined position to the reclinedposition. 1

Of course, the present invention further contemplates the use ofautomatic power means, such as reversible electric motors, for effectingthe various movements heretofore described. Although a variety offunctionally equivalent power means exist, reversible electirc motorssuffice to demonstrate the automatic capability.

For example, in FIG. 7, there is shown an embodiment similar to that ofFIGS.2-4, in which a reversible electric motor 120, having an extendingturn screw 122, is suitably secured relative to the chair frame with theturn screw operatively engaging an internally threaded member 124suitably secured to back plate 18. Accordingly, the motor mayeffectpivotal movement of the back frame, eliminating the need for a sitter toapply pressure via his back, while the rest of the mechanism functionsas it does in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4.

In FIG. 8, there is shown an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 7 inwhich the previously described means for effecting the outwardscissors-action of the scissors mechanism is replaced by a reversibleelectric motor 126 having an extending turn screw 128. Motor 126 issuitably secured relative to the chair frame and turn screw 128operatively engages an internally threaded member 130 suitably securedto the scissors mechanism. In the embodiments of FIG. 8, the position ofthe leg support frame is wholly independent of the position of the backframe, although each are similarly automatically controlled bymechanical power means.

According to the preferred embodiments, motors and 126 are threadedmembers 124 and are pivotally mounted with respect to the chair frameand the back frame and scissors mechanism, respectively, to prevent anybinding of the threaded members on the turn screws.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosurerelates only to presently preferred embodiments of the invention andthat numerous modifications or alternatives may be made therein withoutdeparting from the sirit and scope of the present invention. Forexample, although it is presently preferred to use two mechanisms ineach reclining chair, it is within the contemplation of the presentinvention that there may be constructed a reclining chair requiring onlyone mechanism. In addition, it should also be understood that, althoughunitary chair plate 14 has been disclosed as fixedly secured to chairframe 16, the chair plate may comprise a plurality of sections which mayor may not be secured to one another; and the same is likewise true withrespect to back plate 18 and back frame 20. Of course, the conversesituation exists with respect to seat plate 22 and seat frame 24 in thatthere may be a single unitary L-shaped member extending from pivot point28 down to the seat frame and therealong to the disclosed seat plate. Itshould also be apparent that the chair, seat, and back plates are notessential to the present invention since certain of the pivot points maybe oositioned directly on the respective frames in the absence of theplates. Thus, although those plates form a part of the presentlypreferred embodiments, it should be clear that these plates are merely avehicle by which to describe the structural arrangement of andinteraction between the respective frames and the other elements of themechanism according to the present invention and that portions of theframes themselves may be considered the plates.

What is claimed. is:

l. A reclining chair adapted for movement to accommodate a sitter inupright and reclining positions comprising:

a chair frame;

a back frame pivotally mounted relative to said chair frame about afirst pivot point;

a seat frame pivotally mounted relative to said chair frame about asecond pivot point forward of the mid-point of said seat frame andsubstantially higher than the lower surface thereof;

a first bar linkage having one end pivotally mounted relative to saidback frame about a third pivot point lower than said first pivot pointwhen said back frame is in the upright position and the other endpivotally mounted relative to said seat frame about a fourth pivot pointlower than said third pivot point when said back frame is in the uprightposition and proximate the rear end of said seat frame;

said third pivot point being positioned behind a straight line betweensaid first and fourth pivot points when said back frame is in theupright position thereby enabling the pivoting of said back frame fromthe upright position to a semi-reclined position to effect a pivotalmovement of said seat frame about said second pivot point and agenerally downward movement of the rear end of said seat frame as saidback frame reclines from the upright position to the semi-reclinedposition;

an extensible compound scissors mechanism secured at one end relative tosaid chair frame proximate the front end thereof;

a leg support frame fixedly secured relative to said scissors mechanismproximate the other end thereof; and

means operatively interconnecting said back frame and said scissorsmechanism for effecting an outward scissors-action of said scissorsmechanism and an outward transverse extension of said leg support frameupon the pivoting of said back frame from the upright position to asemi-reclined position.

2. The reclining chair of claim 1 further comprising stop means forlimiting the extent of the outward scissors-action of said scissorsmechanism; and

means for resiliently biasing said back frame toward the semi-reclinedposition when said back frame is between the semi-reclined position anda reclined position thereby enabling a sitter to comfortably stop thechair at any position threbetween by applying a small rearward forceagainst said back frame.

3. The reclining chair of claim 2 wherein said biasing means comprises:

a coil spring under tension. 4. The reclining chair of claim 1 furthercomprising: stop means for limiting the extent of the outwardscissors-action of said scissors mechanism; a second bar linkagepivotally mounted proximate the midportion thereof relative to saidchair frame; a third bar linkage having one end pivotally mounted to oneend of said second bar linkage and the other end pivotally mounted tosaid scissors mechanism; fourth bar linkage having one end pivotallymounted relative to said back frame about a fifth pivot point lower thansaid first pivot point when said back frame is in the semi-reclinedposition and the other end pivotally mounted to said second bar linkageproximate the other end thereof about a sixth pivot point lower thansaid first pivot point but higher than said fifth pivot point when saidback frame is in the semi-reclined position;

a pivot pin fixedly secured to the other end of said fourth bar linkageat said sixth pivot point and rotatably and slidingly secured in anelongate closed slot formed in said second bar linkage proximate saidother end thereof;

said fifth pivot point being positioned behind a straight line betweensaid first and sixth pivot points when said back frame is in thesemi-reclined position thereby enabling the further pivoting of saidback frame from the semi-reclined position to a reclined position toeffect a downward sliding movement of said other end of said fourth barlinkage along the slot as said back frame further reclines from thesemi-reclined position to the reclined position at which position saidsixth pivot point is lower than said fifth pivot point which is lowerthan said first pivot point; and

a coil spring having one end fixedly secured relative to said other endof said fourth bar linkage and the other end fixedly secured relative tosaid chair frame at a point closer to the upper end of the slot than thelower end thereof.

5. The reclining chair of claim 1 further comprising:

stop means for limiting the extent of the outward scissors-action ofsaid scissors mechanism;

a carriage slidably mounted relative to said chair frame, said one endof said scissors mechanism being secured to said carriage;

stop means for limiting the rearward movement of said carriage at a rearposition;

a coil spring having one end fixedly secured relative to said carriageand the other end fixedly secured relative to said chair frame at apoint to bias said carriage toward its rear position;

a second bar linkage having one end pivotally mounted relative to saidback frame about a fifth pivot point lower than said first pivot pointwhen said back frame is in the semi-reclined position and the other endpivotally mounted to said scissors mechanism about a sixth pivot point;and

said fifth pivot point being positioned behind a straight line betweensaid first and sixth pivot points when said back frame is in thesemi-reclined position thereby enabling the further pivoting of saidback frame from the semi-reclined position to a reclined position toeffect a forward sliding movement of said carriage from said rearposition and a further outward transverse extension of said leg supportframe as said back frame further reclines from the semi-reclinedposition to the reclined position.

6. The reclining chair of claim 1 further comprising:

reversible electric motor means operatively connected to said back frameto automatically effect pivotal movement of said back frame relative tosaid chair frame.

7. The reclining chair of claim 1 further comprising:

reversible electric motor means operatively connected to said scissorsmechanism to automatically effect an outward scissors-action of saidscissors mechanism and an outward transverse extension of said legsupport frame relative to said chair frame.

8. For use in a reclining chair having a chair frame,

a back frame, a seat frame, and a leg support, and adapted for movementto accommodate a sitter in upright and reclining positions, a mechanismfor interconnecting the chair, back, and seat frames and the leg supportcomprising:

means for pivotally mounting the back frame relative to the chair frameabout a first pivot point;

means for pivotally mounting the seat frame relative to the chair frameabout a second pivot point forward of the mid-point of the seat frameand substantially higher than the lower surface thereof;

a first bar linkage having one end adapted to be pivotally mountedrelative to the back frame about a third pivot point lower than saidfirst pivot point when the back frame is in the upright position and theother end adapted to be pivotally mounted relative to the seat frameabout a fourth pivot point lower than said third pivot point when theback frame is in the upright position and proximate the rear end of theseat frame;

said third pivot point being positioned behind a straight line betweensaid first and fourth pivot points when the back frame is in the uprightposition thereby enabling the pivoting of the back frame from theupright position to a semi-reclined position to effect a pivotalmovement of the seat frame about said second pivot point and a generallydownward movement of the rear end of the seat frame as the back framereclines from the upright position to the semi-reclined position;

an extensible compound scissors mechanism adapted to be secured at oneend relative to the chair frame proximate the front end thereof;

means for fixedly securing the leg support frame relative to saidscissors mechanism proximate the other end thereof; and

meansadaptable for operatively interconnecting the back frame and saidscissors mechanism for effecting an outward scissors-action of saidscissors mechanism and an outward transverse extension of the legsupport frame upon the pivoting of the back frame from the uprightposition to a semi-reclined position.

9. The mechanism of claim 8 further comprising:

stop means for limiting the extent of the outward scissors-action ofsaid scissors mechanism; and

means for resiliently biasing the back frame toward the semi-reclinedposition when the back frame is between the semi-reclined position and areclined position thereby enabling a sitter to comfortably stop thechair at any position therebetween by applying a small rearward forceagainst the back frame.

10. The mechanism of claim 9 wherein said biasing means comprises:

a coil spring under tension.

11. The mechanism of claim 8 further comprising:

stop means for limiting the extent of the outward scissors-action ofsaid scissors mechanism;

a second bar linkage adapted to be pivotally mounted proximate themid-portion thereof relative to the chair frame;

a third bar linkage having one end pivotally mounted to one end of saidsecond bar linkage and the other end pivotally mounted to said scissorsmechanism;

a fourth bar linkage having one end adapted to be pivotally mountedrelative to the back frame about a fifth pivot point lower than saidfirst pivot point when the back frame is in the semi-reclined positionand the other end pivotally mounted to said second bar linkage proximatethe other end thereof about a sixth pivot point lower than said firstpivot point but higher than said fifth pivot point when the back frameis in the semi-reclined position;

a pivot pin fixedly secured to the other end of said fourth bar linkageat said sixth pivot point and rotatably and slidingly secured in anelongate closed slot formed in said second bar linkage proximate saidother end thereof;

said fifth pivot point being positioned behind a straight line betweensaid first and sixth pivot points when the back frame is in thesemi-reclined position thereby enabling the further pivoting of the backframe from the semi-reclined position to a reclined position to effect adownward sliding movement of said other end of said fourth bar linkagealong the slot as the back frame further reclines from the semi-reclinedposition to the reclined position at which position said sixth pivotpoint is lower than said fifth pivot point which is lower than saidfirst pivot point; and

a coil spring having one end fixedly secured relative to said other endof said fourth bar linkage and the other end adapted to be fixedlysecured relative to the chair frame at a point closer to the upper endof the slot than the lower end thereof.

12. The reclining chair of claim 8 further comprising:

stop means for limiting the extent of the outward scissors-action ofsaid scissors mechanism;

a carriage adapted to be slidably mounted relative to the chair frame,said one end of said scissors mechanism being secured to said carriage;

stop means for limiting the rearward movement of said carriage at a rearposition;

a coil spring having one end fixedly secured relative to said carriageand the other end adapted to be fixedly secured relative to the chairframe at a point to bias said carriage toward its rear position;

a second bar linkage having one end adapted to be pivotally mountedrelative to the back frame about a fifth pivot point lower than saidfirst pivot point when the back frame is in the semi-reclined positionand the other end pivotally mounted to said scissors mechanism about asixth pivot point; and

said fifth pivot point being positioned behind a straight line betweensaid first and sixth pivot 'points'when the back frame is in thesemi-reclined position thereby enabling the further pivoting of the backframe from the semi-reclined position to a reclined position to effect aforward sliding movement of said carriage from said rear position and afurther outward transverse extenion of said leg support frame as theback frame further reclines from the semi-reclined position to thereclined position.

1. A reclining chair adapted for movement to accommodate a sitter inupright and reclining positions comprising: a chair frame; a back framepivotally mounted relative to said chair frame about a first pivotpoint; a seat frame pivotally mounted relative to said chair frame abouta second pivot point forward of the mid-point of said seat frame andsubstantially higher than the lower surface thereof; a first bar linkagehaving one end pivotally mounted relative to said back frame about athird pivot point lower than said first pivot point when said back frameis in the upright position and the other end pivotally mounted relativeto said seat frame about a fourth pivot point lower than said thirdpivot point when said back frame is in the upright position andproximate the rear end of said seat frame; said third pivot point beingpositioned behind a straight line between said first and fourth pivotpoints when said back frame is in the upright position thereby enablingthe pivoting of said back frame from the upright position to asemi-reclined position to effect a pivotal movement of said seat frameabout said second pivot point and a generally downward movement of therear end of said seat frame as said back frame reclines from the uprightposition to the semi-reclined position; an extensible compound scissorsmechanism secured at one end relative to said chair frame proximate thefront end thereof; a leg support frame fixedly secured relative to saidscissors mechanism proximate the other end thereof; and meansoperatively interconnecting said back frame and said scissors mechanismfor effecting an outward scissors-action of said scissors mechanism andan outward transverse extension of said leg support frame upon thepivoting of said back frame from the upright position to a semi-reclinedposition.
 2. The reclining chair of claim 1 further comprising stopmeans for limiting the extent of the outward scissors-action of saidscissors mechanism; and means for resiliently biasing said back frametoward the semi-reclined position when said back frame is between thesemi-reclined position and a reclined position thereby enabling a sitterto comfortably stop the chair at any position threbetween by applying asmall rearward force against said back frame.
 3. The reclining chair ofclaim 2 wherein said biasing means comprises: a coil spring undertension.
 4. The reclining chair of claim 1 further comprising: stopmeans for limiting the extent of the outward scissors-action of saidscissors mechanism; a second bar linkage pivotally mounted proximate themidportion thereof relative to said chair frame; a third bar linkagehaving one end pivotally mounted to one end of said second bar linkageand the other end pivotally mounTed to said scissors mechanism; a fourthbar linkage having one end pivotally mounted relative to said back frameabout a fifth pivot point lower than said first pivot point when saidback frame is in the semi-reclined position and the other end pivotallymounted to said second bar linkage proximate the other end thereof abouta sixth pivot point lower than said first pivot point but higher thansaid fifth pivot point when said back frame is in the semi-reclinedposition; a pivot pin fixedly secured to the other end of said fourthbar linkage at said sixth pivot point and rotatably and slidinglysecured in an elongate closed slot formed in said second bar linkageproximate said other end thereof; said fifth pivot point beingpositioned behind a straight line between said first and sixth pivotpoints when said back frame is in the semi-reclined position therebyenabling the further pivoting of said back frame from the semi-reclinedposition to a reclined position to effect a downward sliding movement ofsaid other end of said fourth bar linkage along the slot as said backframe further reclines from the semi-reclined position to the reclinedposition at which position said sixth pivot point is lower than saidfifth pivot point which is lower than said first pivot point; and a coilspring having one end fixedly secured relative to said other end of saidfourth bar linkage and the other end fixedly secured relative to saidchair frame at a point closer to the upper end of the slot than thelower end thereof.
 5. The reclining chair of claim 1 further comprising:stop means for limiting the extent of the outward scissors-action ofsaid scissors mechanism; a carriage slidably mounted relative to saidchair frame, said one end of said scissors mechanism being secured tosaid carriage; stop means for limiting the rearward movement of saidcarriage at a rear position; a coil spring having one end fixedlysecured relative to said carriage and the other end fixedly securedrelative to said chair frame at a point to bias said carriage toward itsrear position; a second bar linkage having one end pivotally mountedrelative to said back frame about a fifth pivot point lower than saidfirst pivot point when said back frame is in the semi-reclined positionand the other end pivotally mounted to said scissors mechanism about asixth pivot point; and said fifth pivot point being positioned behind astraight line between said first and sixth pivot points when said backframe is in the semi-reclined position thereby enabling the furtherpivoting of said back frame from the semi-reclined position to areclined position to effect a forward sliding movement of said carriagefrom said rear position and a further outward transverse extension ofsaid leg support frame as said back frame further reclines from thesemi-reclined position to the reclined position.
 6. The reclining chairof claim 1 further comprising: reversible electric motor meansoperatively connected to said back frame to automatically effect pivotalmovement of said back frame relative to said chair frame.
 7. Thereclining chair of claim 1 further comprising: reversible electric motormeans operatively connected to said scissors mechanism to automaticallyeffect an outward scissors-action of said scissors mechanism and anoutward transverse extension of said leg support frame relative to saidchair frame.
 8. For use in a reclining chair having a chair frame, aback frame, a seat frame, and a leg support, and adapted for movement toaccommodate a sitter in upright and reclining positions, a mechanism forinterconnecting the chair, back, and seat frames and the leg supportcomprising: means for pivotally mounting the back frame relative to thechair frame about a first pivot point; means for pivotally mounting theseat frame relative to the chair frame about a second pivot pointforward of the mid-point of the seat frame and substantially higher thanthe Lower surface thereof; a first bar linkage having one end adapted tobe pivotally mounted relative to the back frame about a third pivotpoint lower than said first pivot point when the back frame is in theupright position and the other end adapted to be pivotally mountedrelative to the seat frame about a fourth pivot point lower than saidthird pivot point when the back frame is in the upright position andproximate the rear end of the seat frame; said third pivot point beingpositioned behind a straight line between said first and fourth pivotpoints when the back frame is in the upright position thereby enablingthe pivoting of the back frame from the upright position to asemi-reclined position to effect a pivotal movement of the seat frameabout said second pivot point and a generally downward movement of therear end of the seat frame as the back frame reclines from the uprightposition to the semi-reclined position; an extensible compound scissorsmechanism adapted to be secured at one end relative to the chair frameproximate the front end thereof; means for fixedly securing the legsupport frame relative to said scissors mechanism proximate the otherend thereof; and means adaptable for operatively interconnecting theback frame and said scissors mechanism for effecting an outwardscissors-action of said scissors mechanism and an outward transverseextension of the leg support frame upon the pivoting of the back framefrom the upright position to a semi-reclined position.
 9. The mechanismof claim 8 further comprising: stop means for limiting the extent of theoutward scissors-action of said scissors mechanism; and means forresiliently biasing the back frame toward the semi-reclined positionwhen the back frame is between the semi-reclined position and a reclinedposition thereby enabling a sitter to comfortably stop the chair at anyposition therebetween by applying a small rearward force against theback frame.
 10. The mechanism of claim 9 wherein said biasing meanscomprises: a coil spring under tension.
 11. The mechanism of claim 8further comprising: stop means for limiting the extent of the outwardscissors-action of said scissors mechanism; a second bar linkage adaptedto be pivotally mounted proximate the mid-portion thereof relative tothe chair frame; a third bar linkage having one end pivotally mounted toone end of said second bar linkage and the other end pivotally mountedto said scissors mechanism; a fourth bar linkage having one end adaptedto be pivotally mounted relative to the back frame about a fifth pivotpoint lower than said first pivot point when the back frame is in thesemi-reclined position and the other end pivotally mounted to saidsecond bar linkage proximate the other end thereof about a sixth pivotpoint lower than said first pivot point but higher than said fifth pivotpoint when the back frame is in the semi-reclined position; a pivot pinfixedly secured to the other end of said fourth bar linkage at saidsixth pivot point and rotatably and slidingly secured in an elongateclosed slot formed in said second bar linkage proximate said other endthereof; said fifth pivot point being positioned behind a straight linebetween said first and sixth pivot points when the back frame is in thesemi-reclined position thereby enabling the further pivoting of the backframe from the semi-reclined position to a reclined position to effect adownward sliding movement of said other end of said fourth bar linkagealong the slot as the back frame further reclines from the semi-reclinedposition to the reclined position at which position said sixth pivotpoint is lower than said fifth pivot point which is lower than saidfirst pivot point; and a coil spring having one end fixedly securedrelative to said other end of said fourth bar linkage and the other endadapted to be fixedly secured relative to the chair frame at a pointcloser to the upper end of the slot than the lower end thereof.
 12. Thereclining chair of claim 8 further comprising: stop means for limitingthe extent of the outward scissors-action of said scissors mechanism; acarriage adapted to be slidably mounted relative to the chair frame,said one end of said scissors mechanism being secured to said carriage;stop means for limiting the rearward movement of said carriage at a rearposition; a coil spring having one end fixedly secured relative to saidcarriage and the other end adapted to be fixedly secured relative to thechair frame at a point to bias said carriage toward its rear position; asecond bar linkage having one end adapted to be pivotally mountedrelative to the back frame about a fifth pivot point lower than saidfirst pivot point when the back frame is in the semi-reclined positionand the other end pivotally mounted to said scissors mechanism about asixth pivot point; and said fifth pivot point being positioned behind astraight line between said first and sixth pivot points when the backframe is in the semi-reclined position thereby enabling the furtherpivoting of the back frame from the semi-reclined position to a reclinedposition to effect a forward sliding movement of said carriage from saidrear position and a further outward transverse extenion of said legsupport frame as the back frame further reclines from the semi-reclinedposition to the reclined position.